The Sandpoint Sustainability Committee voted Dec. 8, 2025, to adopt four priority goals for 2026 and approved sending its draft sustainability framework and communications plan to city staff for review.

The priorities — in order the committee submitted to City Council — are: (1) engage one or more university programs to partner with the city on sustainability research and student projects; (2) gather baseline and benchmark data for municipal operations (including a municipal greenhouse‑gas inventory) with a target to produce a framework or draft plan by December 2026; (3) develop a protocol or framework for implementing duty “f” so that capital projects are brought to the committee at the conceptual design phase; and (4) advocate for education and training for city staff on sustainability practices.

Rachel McKinley, the city staff liaison, described the advisory process and the limits of committee authority: "I take those recommendations. I look at what those would require for resources either through staff or funding, and we…build those pieces and say, yes." She said staff will evaluate resource implications and forward committee recommendations to the mayor and council, who set final priorities and allocate staff time.

Committee members emphasized that baseline data are essential before setting operational targets. Members discussed a municipal greenhouse‑gas inventory and fetching benchmark data from peer cities so the council can see concrete numbers for electricity use, water use and transportation emissions. The committee agreed that partnering with students (for example through the University of Idaho) is a practical way to obtain that research capacity.

On timing, members proposed a Q2 2026 target (April) for the protocol on duty “f” and a December 2026 target for the sustainability framework or draft plan. The committee approved the priorities and order by voice vote; the motion to adopt the list was moved, seconded and carried (transcript records a voice vote of "Aye").

Next steps: the committee authorized staff review of the draft communication and sustainability framework before it goes to the mayor, and members volunteered to work with staff on final edits. The committee will report its recommendations to City Council after staff review and any required mayoral communications office clearance.